a girl’s guide: breakups

Breakups can be extremely hard. Waking up with a sore heart, and not wanting to go to school is probably one of the worst feelings ever. Breakups can be damaging to your mental health and self-perception, which makes it important to treat yourself with care afterward. There are ways to mend a broken heart, and with a little bit of self-care, you will be as good as gold. 

Do not reach out. 

Unless you are needing closure, do not reach out to your ex. You will find yourself going through a rabbit hole of overthinking, and find yourself asking them, “What if”. Reaching out will not make you feel better, and if you don’t cut off contact, you are at risk of going back & forth. And trust me, that feeling is worse than a breakup. 

Go outside and move your body! 

Get out of your bed! Go do things! This will make you feel accomplished and a step towards independence. It doesn’t have to be an extravagant activity such as partying or hiking, but you can start with something small. Go to Target, or a Slurpee run with your best friend. Even though you will want to stay inside cuddled up in your bed (valid), it is so important to get your body moving, even if it’s as simple as a walk around your neighborhood. 

Spend some time with your friends. 

Spending time with people who love you and will always support you is the remedy for a broken heart. The right friends would distract you from the situation, practically forcing you to have fun, but will always be there for you to rant. Even if your perfect hangout at the time is eating ice cream and watching rom-com movies, it is progress. 

Reflect 

Start up a journal and get out your thoughts. You can also listen to a podcast, draw, and do some reflecting on the situation or yourself as a whole. During difficult times, being mindful of your thoughts will release a huge amount of stress off your shoulders. 

Have a self-care night 

Take a bubble bath and put in your favorite smelling bath bomb! Maybe do a face mask and slip into a robe. Feeling silky and smooth, fresh and positive, can completely shift your confidence. Doing self-care after a breakup is one of the biggest boosters. 

Every breakup is different, and everyone copes with it in their own way. There isn’t a timeline for “moving on”, as everyone processes things at their own pace.  If you are having trouble dealing with your breakup mentally, do not hesitate to reach out to professionals. You are so loved and deserve the world. You will get over this.